Finland - Bahamas predictions and free betting tips [02/07/2024]

The national teams of Finland and The Bahamas are set to face off in the Olympic qualification tournament.

Finland

The Finns have won 2 consecutive preparation matches for the qualification, against strong opponents like Latvia, where Finland was an underdog with odds of 3.7, and average New Zealand. These matches were played without their leader Lauri Markkanen, and the team managed well, though these are not the result-driven games awaiting the national team.

Overall, the Finnish squad consists mainly of players from the domestic Finnish league, with no standout leaders. However, two key players to look out for are Mikael Jantunen, the centre from “Paris” who is capable of recording a double-double per game and defending the paint, and Edon Maxhuni, playing in the French league for “Le Portel”, averaging 10 points and nearly 4 assists. These players will be crucial figures for the team.

Finland often starts quite cautiously and often loses the first quarters and halves, but they are strong in the second half. In the last 6 matches, only Serbia managed to beat the team in the second half. Furthermore, the Finns have not conceded more than 85 points for 7 consecutive matches. Despite Finland being a slight underdog in the qualification, scoring 90 points is not usually allowed to them. A prediction of a high total overall would be more suitable since they average 165 points in the last 10 matches. Knowing the attacking potential of The Bahamas and how the Finns adjust their gameplay, one can expect a spectacular and fast-paced match.

The Bahamas

The Bahamian team performed much worse in friendly matches, losing two consecutive games, heavily against Greece (102-75) and Montenegro (93-80). However, Deandre Ayton and Eric Gordon were absent in these matches and are ready to enter the fray in the upcoming match. Buddy Hield took most of the load in these games, performing well despite the results. With the addition of two more leaders, the team becomes formidable, at least in the starting five, featuring essentially 5 NBA players.

It would be incorrect to base predictions on recent matches when betting on a winner. Let’s not forget the first qualification where they steamrolled over everyone, including Argentina twice. All team stars were present, and they did not suffer a single defeat in the first half in 4 games due to their strong starting lineup. This is where I would focus, knowing Finland’s lacklustre first half.

Head-to-head

These teams have not faced each other before, and this will be their first encounter in history.

Match Prediction: Finland vs. The Bahamas

My final prediction goes in favour of The Bahamas winning the first half. It will be very challenging to play against such a powerhouse, and the stats show that the Finns are more active in the second half, whereas The Bahamas start strong and then maintain their lead. Overall, The Bahamas should clinch the victory considering their star players are ready, and their motivation to go to the Olympics is high.

Regarding the total, I would focus on the second half. In the first half, you might see tight defences and teams valuing possession more. In the second half, both sides will likely play their usual basketball, and knowing The Bahamas' offensive approach, one can expect an entertaining match. In the last 2 matches, Finland averaged 87 points in the second half, while The Bahamas averaged 86.